Trump Administration Proposes Massive Cuts to NASA Science Budget for 2026

In May 2025, the Trump administration proposed a significant reduction in NASA's science budget for fiscal year 2026, aiming to cut funding from $7.5 billion to $3.9 billion—a 52% decrease. This proposal threatens nearly 20 active science missions, potentially jeopardizing over $12 billion in taxpayer investments.

The proposed budget cuts could lead to the deactivation of functioning science instruments, effectively wasting resources already expended on these missions. Critics argue that this move reflects a broader trend of deprioritizing scientific research, particularly in climate science. Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at The Planetary Society, expressed concern, stating that terminating active missions would result in the loss of valuable scientific instruments and data collection capabilities.

Florida, a state that received an average of $489 million annually from NASA for scientific missions between fiscal years 2022 and 2024, stands to be particularly affected by these cuts. The reduction in funding could have significant economic repercussions for the state's economy and scientific community.

The scientific community has responded with alarm to the proposed budget reductions. More than 340 current and recently terminated employees of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criticized the administration’s proposed $12 billion in research funding cuts, highlighting concerns that these cuts endanger public health, politicize science, and waste resources. In a letter addressed to NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Congress, staff emphasized the potential risks to public health and the integrity of scientific research.

In response to threats to scientific research under the Trump administration, organized demonstrations known as "Stand Up for Science 2025" took place throughout the United States. The central event occurred at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., with approximately 2,000 participants, and parallel demonstrations occurred in more than 30 additional U.S. cities.

While the president can propose budget changes, ultimate control rests with Congress, which will determine whether NASA shifts focus more heavily toward human spaceflight at the expense of its scientific programs. The proposed budget cuts have sparked significant concern within the scientific community and among policymakers, who are now tasked with balancing fiscal constraints against the need to maintain robust scientific research and exploration programs.

As the budget proposal moves through the legislative process, the role of Congress will be pivotal in determining the final outcome. The decisions made in the coming months will have lasting implications for the future of NASA's scientific missions and the broader landscape of scientific research in the United States.